without their leader

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without their leader" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a group is functioning or existing in the absence of their leader. Example: "The team struggled to make decisions without their leader, who was away on business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The Yankees move on to Detroit now, without their leader.

The New York Times - Sports

Without their leader, the Gaels showed incredible resilience.

The New York Times - Sports

As Lucas limped off the court, his teammates stayed active, jumping around and celebrating their first win without their leader.

The New York Times - Sports

Chelsea were without their leader in the second half and that surely meant mixed messages to his staff when trying to implement tactical changes and substitutions.

Independent

The Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista headlines with his ensemble Beat the Donkey, which will be augmented by the Moroccan musician Hassan Hakmoun and members of the Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio's solo ensemble (presumably without their leader).

The New York Times

After a slow start that included playing for almost a month without their leader, Jimmy Rollins, the Phillies have won 12 of their past 14 games, including a three-game weekend sweep in Atlanta.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

They are unviable without their leaders: hence the BNP's offer to Mrs Zia this week to lead the party "for life".

The Economist

Preliminary talks between both sides without their leaders took place in the Cabinet Office on Friday evening with Hague and Oliver Letwin leading for the Tories and home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne and shadow education secretary David Laws speaking for the Lib Dems.

The Guardian

So the real decision will have to be made by the voters themselves, with or without their leaders -- by many thousands of ordinary Mexicans who might normally prefer to vote for Cardenas and the left but who will now have to consider voting, in the name of democracy, for Fox, the right-wing cowboy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Unfortunately, those soldiers were without their leaders, because both Colonels Nguyen Trong Luat and Vu The Quang were captured by the North Vietnamese in the early hours of the day.

Wikipedia

Even without Webber, their leader in scoring, rebounding and assists, the Kings have played valiantly.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without their leader" to clearly indicate the absence of leadership when describing a group's actions or situation. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing the impact of the leader's absence on the group's performance or direction.

Common error

Be careful not to assume that the absence of a leader automatically results in failure. Sometimes, the phrase "without their leader" can imply a negative outcome, but it's important to consider whether the group's success is solely dependent on one person. Highlight the adaptability or resilience of a team, if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without their leader" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating the state or condition of a group in the absence of its leader. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English. It often adds context to a situation, highlighting the potential impact of the leader's absence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without their leader" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that indicates a group is operating in the absence of its leader. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase's validity and provides examples of its usage across different contexts. While it’s not the most common phrase, it effectively communicates a specific situation, often implying a potential impact on the group's function. This phrase appears most frequently in news, sports, and some scientific contexts, while alternatives like ""in the absence of their leader"" or "lacking leadership" can provide similar meanings. Be mindful of not automatically implying a negative impact in your writing; the absence of a leader doesn't guarantee failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the absence of their leader

Formally indicates the leader is not present or available.

lacking leadership

Focuses specifically on the absence of leadership qualities or a designated leader.

devoid of leadership

Stresses a complete absence of leadership.

leaderless

Emphasizes the state of having no leader.

unled

A more concise way of saying without a leader.

without a guiding hand

Metaphorically describes the absence of direction or control.

without command

Implies a lack of control or direction within the group.

missing their chief

Highlights the absence of a prominent figure of authority.

orphaned of leadership

Uses 'orphaned' metaphorically to describe losing a leader.

bereft of their captain

Similar to 'missing their chief,' but uses a different term for leader.

FAQs

What does "without their leader" mean?

The phrase "without their leader" signifies that a group or organization is operating in the absence of its designated leader, potentially impacting its direction or performance.

How can I use "without their leader" in a sentence?

You might say, "The team struggled to make key decisions "in the absence of their leader"" to indicate that the team's decision-making process was hampered because their leader was not available.

What are some alternatives to saying "without their leader"?

Alternatives include "lacking leadership", ""in the absence of their leader"", or simply "leaderless", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "without their leader"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "without their leader" follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.